md90
09-04-2006, 12:30 AM
It's over and I'm relieved but this took time to realize... I took my step1 exam last week; And here is my exam experience..........:rolleyes: :p
I was nervous, and had decided to walk to the prometric center which was a good 25-30 minute walk; I listened to Goljan during my walk somewhat. I had already planned on what I was going to take... pop tart, 1 can of tab, drank a small cup of coffee, water with lemon juice and sugar (thanks jameslynton), peppermints, chocolates, wash rag (sweating like a pig 'cuz I was so nervous), and my FA, step up, and goljan; But I knew that I was really nervous when I went through the front door and had to sign in (my hands were shaking, and I FORGOT MY NAME)... not good :shock: :p ; The people were very nice...; the first thing that I did was go to the bathroom (I had to get a key for the bathroom in exchange for my ID) and just took a big breath.., then found my locker, put things in there, I was there at 7:45am.. and the lady had asked me if I wanted to go in or wait until 8am.. and I chose to wait b/c I needed to get myself together (mind and body); I sat and read through FA...somewhat... I was more focused on keeping my mind calm and to the task at hand...
0800am: are allowed only to go into the exam center with your ID, orange ticket, and locker key; The procter checks you in (takes a picture of you), explains the procedure, are given three erasable boards and marker in which you post your CIN (was not allowed to take the orange ticket inside); and takes you into the exam room, and shows your seat for the day. I went through the tutorial to calm myself down... which was not working... and took a break after the tutorial..; went to the bathroom, and took a sip of tab energy drink and popped a peppermint into my mouth; then returned to the exam... I had to sign in and out of the testing area....
My first three blocks were the hardest.. not in the sense of questions but in my mind; I did not complete the first block by either 2 or 3 questions; and I did not complete the third block of questions by one questions; but everything else I did complete; I could figure out which ones were experimental, and... "you can't ask me that; I'm only a third year medical student!!!" ;) :p I took a break after each block, but did not leave the testing area each time... the first four blocks, I did leave, take a sip of tab, peppermint, chocolates, going to the bathroom,... after the fourth block, I continued to take a break but I would just sit in my chair, and place my head down on the desk and close my eyes for 5-10 seconds or longer...; I completed the exam by 4:20pm.. and might be thinking that I did not have enough time.. but had over 5-7 minutes left, and had time to do the survey at the end...;
re: the exam: the exam is very doable; In all honesty, IF I fail, it will be b/c of pharmacology; And if I have to take it over, I would utilize FA cases for the USMLE Step 1; It was what I expected... the questions are integrative... you have to know how the subjects inter-connect...; I don't feel that kaplan or NBME prepared me for that... FA cases, and listening and reading Goljan helped me to integrate the concepts.. and wish that I could have gone through FA cases... but got it late; When I left the exam, I was frustrated and angry.. and mad at the USMLE people...; my plan was to go and eat sushi and have a glass of wine... BUT the first restaurant that registered into the mind as I was walking back home.. was "Bennigans"... and I told the bartender to make the strongest drink (was a mistake)... and I slurped it down (not good).. b/c I did not have any food in my stomach except for the breakfast that I ate that morning; so I ordered full plate of ribs and another drink, and called my friend; I also talked to my mother (moms make everything better :p ); After five days, I do feel better BUT still don't know how I did... I can't tell you whether I failed or passed...; I'm hoping for the BEST...; my frustration and anger was a "displacement"... was not truly at the USMLE people but at myself..
Advice: study the subjects, use a build-up system of learning, and learn it in a systematic manner... the questions are ambigious (at least I thought so).. but if you can read the question, understand the concept of what is being asked (integrative), you can bring it down to two to three answers, and for some, the most commons are the correct answers; the pictures were fine..; I felt that there was more pharmacology but then again, it might be b/c it was my difficult subject... the exam is doable; I did not feel that I got any one subject too much but really don't remember too many immunology or biochem questions; I did see the behavior sciences and psych questions (math questions... was a joke :shock: ).. I laugh now, but I hated them!!! BUT the what would you do psych questions.. I feel good; my worry is the pharmacology...; I did feel my questions were more towards pediatrics and adolescents... BUT one thing for sure... IT WAS INTEGRATIVE!!!!
I would like to thank the following people whether I pass or fail in helping me to prepare for the exam: the VMD family including IMG, wcb22, tommyk, ilovetahira, jameslynton, josephmedman, and to my family.... Thank you to everyone who helped to learn, stay positive and focused.... and for the good wishes...:p :D
Now it's time to continue with my clinical rotations.... and wait... BUT I do know that I will continue to study especially pharmacology (I just don't feel comfortable in going into clinicals with it as a weakness).... Take care, and best of wishes to everyone.... :D :p
I was nervous, and had decided to walk to the prometric center which was a good 25-30 minute walk; I listened to Goljan during my walk somewhat. I had already planned on what I was going to take... pop tart, 1 can of tab, drank a small cup of coffee, water with lemon juice and sugar (thanks jameslynton), peppermints, chocolates, wash rag (sweating like a pig 'cuz I was so nervous), and my FA, step up, and goljan; But I knew that I was really nervous when I went through the front door and had to sign in (my hands were shaking, and I FORGOT MY NAME)... not good :shock: :p ; The people were very nice...; the first thing that I did was go to the bathroom (I had to get a key for the bathroom in exchange for my ID) and just took a big breath.., then found my locker, put things in there, I was there at 7:45am.. and the lady had asked me if I wanted to go in or wait until 8am.. and I chose to wait b/c I needed to get myself together (mind and body); I sat and read through FA...somewhat... I was more focused on keeping my mind calm and to the task at hand...
0800am: are allowed only to go into the exam center with your ID, orange ticket, and locker key; The procter checks you in (takes a picture of you), explains the procedure, are given three erasable boards and marker in which you post your CIN (was not allowed to take the orange ticket inside); and takes you into the exam room, and shows your seat for the day. I went through the tutorial to calm myself down... which was not working... and took a break after the tutorial..; went to the bathroom, and took a sip of tab energy drink and popped a peppermint into my mouth; then returned to the exam... I had to sign in and out of the testing area....
My first three blocks were the hardest.. not in the sense of questions but in my mind; I did not complete the first block by either 2 or 3 questions; and I did not complete the third block of questions by one questions; but everything else I did complete; I could figure out which ones were experimental, and... "you can't ask me that; I'm only a third year medical student!!!" ;) :p I took a break after each block, but did not leave the testing area each time... the first four blocks, I did leave, take a sip of tab, peppermint, chocolates, going to the bathroom,... after the fourth block, I continued to take a break but I would just sit in my chair, and place my head down on the desk and close my eyes for 5-10 seconds or longer...; I completed the exam by 4:20pm.. and might be thinking that I did not have enough time.. but had over 5-7 minutes left, and had time to do the survey at the end...;
re: the exam: the exam is very doable; In all honesty, IF I fail, it will be b/c of pharmacology; And if I have to take it over, I would utilize FA cases for the USMLE Step 1; It was what I expected... the questions are integrative... you have to know how the subjects inter-connect...; I don't feel that kaplan or NBME prepared me for that... FA cases, and listening and reading Goljan helped me to integrate the concepts.. and wish that I could have gone through FA cases... but got it late; When I left the exam, I was frustrated and angry.. and mad at the USMLE people...; my plan was to go and eat sushi and have a glass of wine... BUT the first restaurant that registered into the mind as I was walking back home.. was "Bennigans"... and I told the bartender to make the strongest drink (was a mistake)... and I slurped it down (not good).. b/c I did not have any food in my stomach except for the breakfast that I ate that morning; so I ordered full plate of ribs and another drink, and called my friend; I also talked to my mother (moms make everything better :p ); After five days, I do feel better BUT still don't know how I did... I can't tell you whether I failed or passed...; I'm hoping for the BEST...; my frustration and anger was a "displacement"... was not truly at the USMLE people but at myself..
Advice: study the subjects, use a build-up system of learning, and learn it in a systematic manner... the questions are ambigious (at least I thought so).. but if you can read the question, understand the concept of what is being asked (integrative), you can bring it down to two to three answers, and for some, the most commons are the correct answers; the pictures were fine..; I felt that there was more pharmacology but then again, it might be b/c it was my difficult subject... the exam is doable; I did not feel that I got any one subject too much but really don't remember too many immunology or biochem questions; I did see the behavior sciences and psych questions (math questions... was a joke :shock: ).. I laugh now, but I hated them!!! BUT the what would you do psych questions.. I feel good; my worry is the pharmacology...; I did feel my questions were more towards pediatrics and adolescents... BUT one thing for sure... IT WAS INTEGRATIVE!!!!
I would like to thank the following people whether I pass or fail in helping me to prepare for the exam: the VMD family including IMG, wcb22, tommyk, ilovetahira, jameslynton, josephmedman, and to my family.... Thank you to everyone who helped to learn, stay positive and focused.... and for the good wishes...:p :D
Now it's time to continue with my clinical rotations.... and wait... BUT I do know that I will continue to study especially pharmacology (I just don't feel comfortable in going into clinicals with it as a weakness).... Take care, and best of wishes to everyone.... :D :p